Condemn and resist the Arroyo fascist republic for the peasant massacres and gross violations of the people�s rights

Fr. Santiago "Sanny" Salas
Spokesperson in Eastern Visayas
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
December 07, 2004

In Eastern Visayas like in Hacienda Luisita in Central Luzon, the military and police of the landlords and big business shoot down the peasants in cold blood. These and other acts of state terrorism against the peasantry and the broad masses of the people prove that the US-supported "Strong Republic" of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a fascist republic. Violations of civil liberties abound because the reactionary ruling system is viciously fighting not only for self-preservation. It is also fighting to maintain its oppression and exploitation that amounts to violating the wider social, economic and cultural rights of the people. That is why the Arroyo fascist republic brandishes the "war on terrorism" in tandem with pushing forward imperialist "globalization", which is causing such grave economic crisis, fiscal crisis and social misery.

The blood and suffering of the people of Eastern Visayas cry out for justice over recent atrocities against human rights and international humanitarian law by the reactionary state. The peasant masses are the main victims of the "war on terrorism", which is a counterrevolutionary war without rules and and without distinction between civilians, non-combatants and combatants from the New People�s Army. The democratic struggles of the peasants, workers, urban poor, government employees, and other classes and sectors are also branded as "terroristic" by the fascist republic of Arroyo.

In waging the "war on terrorism" through Oplan Kalinaw, the real terrorist itself is the 8th Infantry Division for terrorizing the peasant villages in Samar and Leyte. Let us remember the six civilians and three disarmed NPA fighters who were massacred in Kananga, Leyte in April 2003 while in the custody of soldiers from the 19th Infantry Battalion. Let us remember Rogelio Nurcio, Bernardo Amado, and Freddie Rebato, all innocent civilians who were murdered by the military in separate incidents in Eastern Samar last June. Let us remember the brutal killing in Catubig, Northern Samar last August 8 of Mely Conge, who was four months pregnant when she was riddled with 17 bullets after her house was strafed by soldiers and CAFGU from the 63rd Infantry Battalion.

The Arroyo fascist republic also targets the legal mass movement in Eastern Visayas. This is shown in the murder of labor leader Samuel Bandilla last October 15 in Tacloban City by suspected military intelligence agents and the hired goons of Ranulfo Feliciano, general manager of the Leyte Metropolitan Water District. Legal mass leaders are linked with the illegal armed revolutionary movement and are targets for liquidation by the military as part of Oplan Kalinaw. During the previous reactionary elections, Bayan Muna activists Jacqueline Paguntalan and Rolando Fortaliza were abducted in Leyte in February by military intelligence agents and remain missing to this day. Progressive party-list groups like Bayan Muna and Anakpawis were victims of Red-baiting and threats from the military. In Tacloban City, urban poor communities live in constant dread of violent demolitions, as what happened to 300 families in Brgy. Rimas Colon last Sept. 27.

For exposing the military�s human rights violations and criminal and corrupt activities, the mass media in the region earned the ire of the fascist top brass. Maj. Gen. Glenn Rabonza, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, has publicly threatened the mass media on several occasions for covering the revolutionary movement, as well as for critical reporting on military abuses. By its actions, the military shows it is capable of adding to the list of 12 journalists who have been killed nationwide this year.

The wanton and widespread violations of the people�s rights are galvanizing the people to unite and make the Arroyo fascist republic pay dearly. The peasant masses unite with other democratic classes and sectors to defend their human rights and uphold their democratic struggle for land. Church people, human rights lawyers and other human rights activists denounce the "war on terrorism" and the state terrorism of the Arroyo regime. The Filipino people condemn the Arroyo fascist republic for supporting the US worldwide "war on terrorism" and for cheerleading US military intervention in the Philippines.

Victims of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law continue to file their cases at the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the NDFP and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. The JMC is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law or CARHRIHL. But the Arroyo regime is closing the door to peace negotiations with the NDFP and escalating the "war on terrorism". Thus, the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law are bound to worsen.

If the Arroyo fascist republic intensifies its attacks on the people�s rights, it will only reap the whirlwind of uprising from the people who are already incensed from the worsening socio-economic crisis and the corruption of the ruling regime. The people�s grievances over the massive violations of their rights will only add urgency to a powerful movement to unseat Arroyo before her term ends. But only through greater participation and intensification in the people�s war can the "war on terrorism" be ultimately defeated. By overthrowing the ruling system through the national democratic revolution with a socialist perspective, the whole range of human rights will be finally enjoyed by the masses of the people in a new social order that guarantees justice, peace and democracy. #

For confirmation, contact:
Roy Santos, NDF-EV Media Liaison Officer
Cellphone No. 0918-3112138